Karen Hanlon: Highmark Health’s Commitment to Diverse Workforce

 

Joyce welcomes Karen Hanlon, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Highmark Health. Ms. Hanlon will share her background and her role in the organization. She will also share her insights on how AI will influence healthcare and what impact the shortage in healthcare labor may have in the future. 

 

Karen Hanlon Bio: 

• A key leader, strategist and visionary for Highmark Health, helping to guide the organization’s mission to create remarkable health experiences that frees people to be their best. Responsible for overseeing the strategy and long-term operations of Highmark Health and Highmark Inc., as the organization focuses on bringing transformational care to its customers and disrupting traditional health care models, products, and services. Also oversees the operations of Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Wholecare, the Highmark Health-Penn State Health partnership and enGen. 

• Began career in public accounting at KPMG Peat Marwick prior to joining Highmark Inc. in 1997, where she held several positions within the finance division before becoming the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Highmark Health in 2014, and the Chief Operating Officer of Highmark Health in 2018. As Chief Financial Officer, played a significant role in strengthening the overall financial performance of the enterprise, resulting in Highmark Health’s achievement of consecutive record net revenues in 2017 and 2018. 

• Guided the financial turnaround of Allegheny Health Network, this health delivery system has expanded to include 14 hospitals in Western Pennsylvania, as well as 6 multi-specialty medical malls.  

• In recognition of achievements, was named to Modern Healthcare’s 2024 Women Leaders in Healthcare list, the 2023 Power 100 list of the region’s most influential business leaders, a 2023 Pittsburgh Business Times (PBT) C-Suite award winner and 2018 PBT CFO of the Year. Was also recognized as a 2019 recipient of The Grove City College Alumni Association Jack Kennedy Memorial. 

• Strong advocate of supplier diversity and women in the workforce, serving as an executive sponsor for these important initiatives at Highmark Health. Believes in implementing best practices, innovation and community partnerships that encourage businesses to provide consistent opportunities for minority-owned and operated businesses in the supply chain. 

• Current professional affiliations include Board of Directors, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Board of Directors, Federated Hermes, Inc. Distribution Committee Member, and The McCune Foundation, among others. 

 

Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights: 

• Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. - www.benderconsult.com.  

• Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities.  

• Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center. 

• Recipient of the 2024 Visionary Award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, DC. 

• Lives with epilepsy and hard of hearing.  

• Advocates for competitive employment for people with disabilities.  

• Serves as vice-chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and former chair of the board.  

• Represented the State Department in programming with Panama, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, and Tunisia.  

• Serves as chair of Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA.  

• Received the 2003 New Freedom Initiative Award from the Bush Administration.  

• Recognized with the 1999 President’s Award from President Clinton.  

• Board member of Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and World Institute on Disability (WID).  

 

Upcoming guest: 

January 28, 2025 

Joyce welcomes Larry Kleinman, Executive Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Highmark Health, to the show. Mr. Kleinman will share the organization’s commitment to continue partnering with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to hire people with disabilities as a valuable part of their diverse workforce.